Europa League Home Matches to Be Played in Poland
Dynamo Kyiv’s head coach, Ihor Kostiuk, has confirmed that the team will host their Europa League fixtures in Lublin, Poland. The club secured a spot in the 2026/27 Europa League after defeating Chernihiv in the 2025/26 Ukrainian Cup final. They will enter the competition in the first qualifying round (Q1) and have been granted a seeded position.
To reach the Europa League group stage, Dynamo must overcome four opponents across the qualifying rounds (Q1 through Q4). A defeat would see them drop into the Conference League. The draw for Q1 of the 2026/27 Europa League is scheduled for June 16, with matches taking place on July 9 and 16.
Ihor Kostiuk stated: 'We will play our home European matches in Poland, in Lublin. For now, the Europa League qualifiers lie ahead. The first objective is to get through this playoff.'
The coach also mentioned that the team has fully mapped out their preparation, match dates, and has already begun working toward those goals.
Oleksandr Karavayev Moves to Shakhtar Donetsk
In other news, defender Oleksandr Karavayev is set to join Shakhtar Donetsk. Karavayev declined to extend his contract with Dynamo and will return to Shakhtar next season. Shakhtar has offered him a two-year deal. Notably, the defender was part of Shakhtar’s system from 2011 and played for Dynamo since July 2019. This season, he made 31 appearances for the team, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists. His current contract with Dynamo runs until the end of the season.
Potential opponents for Dynamo in Q1 of the Europa League include:
- Vojvodina (Serbia)
- Žilina (Slovakia)
- Universitatea Cluj (Romania)
- Aluminij (Slovenia)
- Derry City (Ireland)
- Vestri (Iceland)
Dynamo Kyiv’s progression to a new European stage underscores the club’s prominence in Ukrainian football, especially following their Ukrainian Cup triumph. Karavayev’s transfer to Shakhtar could reshape the squad and strategy moving forward, given his contributions in recent seasons. The Europa League qualifiers will serve as a critical test for Dynamo as they aim to return to the tournament’s main phase.
As Dynamo Kyiv prepares for their Europa League qualifying matches, recent changes within the team have also made headlines. Notably, defender Karavayev's decision to leave for Shakhtar Donetsk adds a significant twist to the club's dynamics. His departure could impact Dynamo's strategy as they aim for success in the upcoming European competition.